Abstract: New polymer compositions based on poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) and other high-softening-temperature polymers are disclosed. These materials have a microphase domain structure that has an ionically-conductive phase and a phase with good mechanical strength and a high softening temperature. In some arrangements, the structural block has a softening temperature of about 210° C. These materials can be made with either homopolymers or with block copolymers. When these polymers are combined with electrolyte salts, they can be used as electrolytes that have both high ionic conductivity and good mechanical properties.

Abstract: A novel solid block copolymer electrolyte material is described. The material has first structural polymer blocks that make up a structural domain that has a modulus greater than 1×107 Pa at 25° C. There are also second ionically-conductive polymer blocks and a salt that make up an ionically-conductive domain adjacent to the structural domain. Along with the second ionically-conductive polymers, there is also a crosslinked network of third polymers, which interpenetrates the ionically-conductive domain. The third polymers are miscible with the second polymers. It has been shown that the addition of such an interpenetrating, crosslinked polymer network to the ionically-conductive domain improves the mechanical properties of the block copolymer electrolyte with no sacrifice in ionic conductivity.

Abstract: Syntheses of graft copolymers based on PEO and fluorinated functional groups are described. Grafting of fluorinated groups reduces the Tm of PEO and also increases the miscibility of PEO with ionic liquids, so that addition of ionic liquids improves ionic conductivity even at room temperature. The disclosed copolymers containing fluorinated functionality have superior safety and are more flame retardant as compared to traditional electrolytes. Such copolymers can be used as either solid or gel electrolytes in Li batteries.

Abstract: Composites of lithium-ion-conducting ceramic and polymeric materials make superior separators and electrolytes for use in lithium batteries. The ceramic material provides a high conductivity pathway for lithium-ions, enhancing the properties of the less conductive polymeric material. The polymeric material provides flexibility, binding, and space-filling properties, mitigating the tendency of rigid ceramic materials to break or delaminate. The interface between the polymer and ceramic can be made to have a low ionic resistance through the use of additives and coatings.

Abstract: New polymer compositions based on poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) and other high-softening-temperature polymers are disclosed. These materials have a microphase domain structure that has an ionically-conductive phase and a phase with good mechanical strength and a high softening temperature. In some arrangements, the structural block has a softening temperature of about 210° C. These materials can be made with either homopolymers or with block copolymers. When these polymers are combined with electrolyte salts, they can be used as electrolytes that have both high ionic conductivity and good mechanical properties.

Abstract: Polymer electrolytes incorporating PS-PEO block copolymers, PXE additives, and lithium salts provide improved physical properties relative to PS-PEO block copolymers and lithium salt alone, and thus provide improved battery performance.

Abstract: Syntheses of alternating copolymers based on PEO and fluorinated polymers are described. Introduction of fluorinated polymer chains reduces the Tm of PEO and also increases the affinity and miscibility with ionic liquids, which improves ionic conductivity even at room temperature. The disclosed polymers containing PFPE have superior safety and are more flame retardant as compared to traditional electrolytes. Such alternating copolymers can be used as solid or gel electrolytes in Li batteries.

Abstract: Syntheses of graft copolymers based on PEO and fluorinated functional groups are described. Grafting of fluorinated groups reduces the Tm of PEO and also increases the miscibility of PEO with ionic liquids, so that addition of ionic liquids improves ionic conductivity even at room temperature. The disclosed copolymers containing fluorinated functionality have superior safety and are more flame retardant as compared to traditional electrolytes. Such copolymers can be used as either solid or gel electrolytes in Li batteries.

Abstract: Polymer electrolytes incorporating PS-PEO block copolymers, PXE additives, and lithium salts provide improved physical properties relative to PS-PEO block copolymers and lithium salt alone, and thus provide improved battery performance.

Abstract: Syntheses of alternating copolymers based on PEO and fluorinated polymers are described. Introduction of fluorinated polymer chains reduces the Tm of PEO and also increases the affinity and miscibility with ionic liquids, which improves ionic conductivity even at room temperature. The disclosed polymers containing PFPE have superior safety and are more flame retardant as compared to traditional electrolytes. Such alternating copolymers can be used as solid or gel electrolytes in Li batteries.

Abstract: Syntheses of graft copolymers based on PEO and fluorinated functional groups are described. Grafting of fluorinated groups reduces the Tm of PEO and also increases the miscibility of PEO with ionic liquids, so that addition of ionic liquids improves ionic conductivity even at room temperature. The disclosed copolymers containing fluorinated functionality have superior safety and are more flame retardant as compared to traditional electrolytes. Such copolymers can be used as either solid or gel electrolytes in Li batteries.

Abstract: Polymer electrolytes incorporating PS-PEO block copolymers, PXE additives, and lithium salts provide improved physical properties relative to PS-PEO block copolymers and lithium salt alone, and thus provide improved battery performance.

Abstract: Electrode assemblies for use in electrochemical cells are provided. The negative electrode assembly includes negative electrode active material and an electrolyte chosen specifically for its useful properties in the negative electrode. Such properties include reductive stability and ability to accommodate expansion and contraction of the negative electrode active material. Similarly, the positive electrode assembly includes positive electrode active material and an electrolyte chosen specifically for its useful properties in the positive electrode. These properties include oxidative stability and the ability to prevent dissolution of transition metals used in the positive electrode active material. A third electrolyte can be used as separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. A cell is constructed with a cathode that includes a fluorinated electrolyte which does not penetrate into the solid-state polymer electrolyte separator between it and the lithium-based anode.

Abstract: A novel solid block copolymer electrolyte material is described. The material has first structural polymer blocks that make up a structural domain that has a modulus greater than 1×107 Pa at 25° C. There are also second ionically-conductive polymer blocks and a salt that make up an ionically-conductive domain adjacent to the structural domain. Along with the second ionically-conductive polymers, there is also a crosslinked network of third polymers, which interpenetrates the ionically-conductive domain. The third polymers are miscible with the second polymers. It has been shown that the addition of such an interpenetrating, crosslinked polymer network to the ionically-conductive domain improves the mechanical properties of the block copolymer electrolyte with no sacrifice in ionic conductivity.

Abstract: Composites of lithium-ion-conducting ceramic and polymeric materials make superior separators and electrolytes for use in lithium batteries. The ceramic material provides a high conductivity pathway for lithium-ions, enhancing the properties of the less conductive polymeric material. The polymeric material provides flexibility, binding, and space-filling properties, mitigating the tendency of rigid ceramic materials to break or delaminate. The interface between the polymer and ceramic can be made to have a low ionic resistance through the use of additives and coatings.

Abstract: Polymer electrolytes incorporating PS-PEO block copolymers, PXE additives, and lithium salts provide improved physical properties relative to PS-PEO block copolymers and lithium salt alone, and thus provide improved battery performance.

Abstract: Syntheses of graft copolymers based on PEO and fluorinated functional groups are described. Grafting of fluorinated groups reduces the Tm of PEO and also increases the miscibility of PEO with ionic liquids, so that addition of ionic liquids improves ionic conductivity even at room temperature. The disclosed copolymers containing fluorinated functionality have superior safety and are more flame retardant as compared to traditional electrolytes. Such copolymers can be used as either solid or gel electrolytes in Li batteries.

Abstract: Syntheses of alternating copolymers based on PEO and fluorinated polymers are described. Introduction of fluorinated polymer chains reduces the Tm of PEO and also increases the affinity and miscibility with ionic liquids, which improves ionic conductivity even at room temperature. The disclosed polymers containing PFPE have superior safety and are more flame retardant as compared to traditional electrolytes. Such alternating copolymers can be used as solid or gel electrolytes in Li batteries.

Abstract: A new and efficient method of functionalizing high molecular weight polymers through alkylation using a metal hetero alkylbase is described. This novel procedure can also be used to synthesize polymer-based macro-initiators containing radical initiating groups at the chain-ends for synthesis of block copolymers.

Abstract: Electrode assemblies for use in electrochemical cells are provided. The negative electrode assembly includes negative electrode active material and an electrolyte chosen specifically for its useful properties in the negative electrode. Such properties include reductive stability and ability to accommodate expansion and contraction of the negative electrode active material. Similarly, the positive electrode assembly includes positive electrode active material and an electrolyte chosen specifically for its useful properties in the positive electrode. These properties include oxidative stability and the ability to prevent dissolution of transition metals used in the positive electrode active material. A third electrolyte can be used as separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. A cell is constructed with a cathode that includes a fluorinated electrolyte which does not penetrate into the solid-state polymer electrolyte separator between it and the lithium-based anode.